‘You don’t need that much palm oil’

OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes that reducing the quantity of palm oil consumed can further reduce heart diseases.

The rate at which Nigerians consume palm oil is raising concerns. This is because palm oil has been identified to be a significant factor causing cardio vascular diseases (CVDs). According to health experts, cooking at home with unmeasured palm oil, eating out at Bukateria, also known as Buka, Mama put or canteen, to eating assorted meats known as orisirisi, as well as consuming ‘butter and bread’ could cause CVDs such as heart attack.

Worried by the increasing rate of cardio vascular diseases (CVDs) in the country the experts have called on the Federal Ministry of Health to make available daily dietary allowances for Nigerians and promote public awareness on same.

The authorities converged at a summit on Lipids and Cardiovascular health among Nigerians. It was organised by the Nigerian Heart Foundation and National Heart Health and Nutrition. At the summit, they agreed that the risk factors for the increase in CVD death rates include Tobacco use, unhealthy dietary changes (related to trans-fats and oils) leading to abnormal blood lipid levels, high intake of salt, low intake of dietary fibre. They also lamented that there are many brands of vegetable and animal oils in the market without appropriate labeling of their constituents and origin (plant or animal source).

They explained that unregulated consumption of palm oil could increase cholesterol levels, as a diet high in saturated fat increases the risk of heart disease and encourages the buildup of plaque in the arterial walls. Each tablespoon of palm oil, they said, contains seven grams of saturated fat, which is almost half of the daily limit in a 2,000-calorie diet. If one is consuming palm oil in addition to other saturated fat sources — like dairy, meat and processed foods – one might exceed the limit, they said.

So also Prof. Osaratin James Odia of Dept of Medicine, University of Port-Harcourt; Dean, Post Graduate School, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Prof Olugbenga Ben Ogunmoyela and Dr Adeola Yetunde Olukosi of Dept. of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR).

According to them, there has been sub-optimal emphasis on heart healthy foods, which contributes to the low awareness of what constitutes healthy foods, especially in relation to heart health, just as there has been a gradual shift from heart healthy foods to ‘westernised diets’, which is as a result of rural-uban migration and urbanisation.

The professionals said abnormal lipid profile (raised TC, LDL-C, TGL and low HDL-C) have been associated with Coronary artery disease and Peripheral artery disease, which resulted in high mortality and morbidity rates, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria, just as there is a steady increase in the prevalence of Ischaemic heart disease in the country.

In the words of Prof Akinkugbe, there is a relationship between lipids and CV health in Nigeria. “Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major public health problem gbobally, being an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Elevated levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol are documented as risk factors for heart disease.

“The blood level of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol in contrast bears an inverse relationship to the risk of coronary heart disease: the higher the level, the lesser the risk,” said Prof Akinkugbe.

He explained that the situation of palm oil as regards its effect on cardiovascular diseases has generated global controversy.

“In Nigeria, palm oil is the most commonly used oil at home for cooking. In the urban area 60.5 percent of adults use palm oil for cooking. In the rural area 90 per cent of the population use palm oil for cooking. The mean total population cholesterol is 122.4- or + 42 mg/dl, which is lower than most developed countries. However, the cholesterolemic ability of palm-oil may be considered minimal, though it needs to be scientifically documented,” explained Prof Akinkugbe.